Whatever the outcome may be, more than anything, I do hope that it will one day lead to a Alaska that remains under Russian rule forever and a day.
Fixed that for you mate.
Union and Liberty: An American TL
- Thread starter wilcoxchar
- Start date
Fixed that for you mate.
Part One-Hundred Twelve: The Great War and German Politics
Next update's finished! I'll add footnotes and correct accents and such later today.
Part One-Hundred Twelve: The Great War and German Politics
Eastern Front:
Through much of the summer and autumn of 1907, the primary focus of the German offensive in the Eastern Front was on finally capturing Krakow. The difficulties the German army faced in capturing the city had long delayed possible offensives elsewhere and it had become a top priority. The German army finally made significant progress in 1907 as General von Hötzendorf at last made a successful crossing of the Vistula near Brzysko. Now with Krakow almost fully surrounded by German forces and cut off from Coalition supply lines, the Germans forced Krakow to surrender. However, the surrender did not come easily as the impatience of the German high command regarding Krakow led to further direct assaults on the now heavily fortified city. The final actions in the Siege of Krakow led to over forty thousand casualties on both sides and the German artillery left much of the outer areas of the city in ruins[1]. Krakow finally surrendered to the German army on October 28th, 1907 after a year and three months of resistance. Soon after the fall of Krakow, Jozef Korzeniowski set up a temporary Polish government in the city and organized the first Polish Legion, led by Józef Haller[2], which soon entered the front alongside the German army.
Meanwhile the front in Hungary remained largely static. While there were some minor gains for both the Germans and the New Coalition forces, almost all offensives in the Danubian Plain or around Lake Balaton in 1907 were indecisive and resulted in minimal gain for either side. The only important areas to change hands during 1907 were Várpalota and Lendava. West of Lake Balaton, the German army captured Lendava[3] in August 1907, bringing the Germans slightly closer to Varasd and entering Slavonia. Near Budapest, however, the New Coalition successfully captured Várpalota and Mór, pushing the Germans back from Budapest and Székesfehérvár. On the Polish front, the German army consolidated its territorial gains while expanding the northern Polish front and advancing as far as Kowal. The southern Polish front kept its advance toward Warsaw until it was repulsed by Russian forces near Ujazd[4] in late July. Despite the southern advance being stopped, the Germans still succeeded in taking Lodz and Strykow.
German Politics Brewing:
While the Great War was primarily a struggle between the dominant European powers, it was also a backdrop for several brewing internal political struggles. This was particularly the case in Germany. After the annexation of Austria in 1890, Frederick III was deciding on who to appoint as governor. When it became rumored that the Emperor was considering Joseph Leopold von Habsburg[5], then head of the house of Habsburg, for the governorship and restoring the archduchy, protests broke out in Vienna and Linz. With some of the protesting in Vienna becoming violent and the Habsburgs already being belittled in German political circles, the Emperor formally announced that Franz Anton von Thun-Hohenstein would be the governor of Austria. The appointment was enough to placate the Austrian people, but it contributed to a small but growing movement for a more federal system within the German Empire.
The Bundesland movement had its origins shortly after the unification of Germany, with small groups unhappy with the special autonomous status given only to Bavaria and Hanover. While the movement stayed fairly small during the first years of a unified German Empire, the Bundesland movement grew around the turn of the century among Czechs in Bohemia and labor leaders in Austria and in the Rhineland who wanted more autonomy for their regions. One of the most influential leaders of the Bundesland movement was Tomáš Mazaryk[6], a Czech who served in the Reichstag from Bohemia. Mazaryk questioned why Bavaria and Hanover should receive more autonomy than other German provinces and, as a member of the Young Czech Party, advocated more autonomy for Bohemia and the Czechs in the province in particular. The Bundesland movement had little overall success within the German Empire as a whole during the Great War, and Mazaryk's efforts were sidelined due to Bohemia's strategic importance. However, prior to 1900 the movement did have minor victories. In 1897, Emperor Frederick granted Austria the right to self-government, which meant it could elect its own governor with approval from the emperor. Two years later, Austria became the first region of Germany to grant universal suffrage.
Along with the Bundesland movement, another movement began to surface in the German Empire around the turn of the century. While the Mid-Century revolutions and the unification of Germany had granted more freedom to Jews in Germany, the impact of the Panic of 1876 in Germany and increased immigration of Russian Jews into Germany led to another wave in anti-Jewish discrimination. While restrictions on Jewish business ownership and freedoms were placed in many German provinces, the worst instances of anti-Jewish legislation took place in Bavaria under the influence of Karl Lueger. Lueger rose to the leadership of the Christian Democratic Party of Bavaria and used the influence of the party to promote harsh policies including prohibiting Jews from becoming judges and placing high taxes on Jewish couples. These anti-Jewish actions spurred emigration of Jews from Germany to France and the United States in the 1890s, as well as spurred discussion of the creation of a Jewish state. While many Russian Jews had moved to Palestine in the late 19th century, fewer German Jews had done so. In 1907 after Russia entered the Great War against Germany, prominent Zionist Max Bodenheimer proposed the establishment of a Jewish autonomous province that would be carved out of Congress Poland[7]. The idea, which also gained the support of some such as Lueger as a policy of Jewish resettlement, would come under consideration by the German Foreign Ministry in its war aims against Russia in the Great War.
[1] Much of the historic center of Krakow including the castle and cathedral in Wawel and the town hall survived and became icons of Krakow and Polish nationalism.
[2] One of the OTL commanders in the Polish Legion, but here with an elevated position.
[3] Lendava is in the very northeastern tip of Slovenia in OTL.
[4] The Ujazd near Tomaszow Mazowiecki. Poland has way too many villages named Ujazd.
[5] Fictional son of Archduke Maximilian, OTL Maximilian I of Mexico.
[6] Mazaryk was the OTL first president of Czechoslovakia.
[7] Bodenheimer also made a similar proposal in OTL, the League of East European States.
Part One-Hundred Twelve: The Great War and German Politics
Eastern Front:
Through much of the summer and autumn of 1907, the primary focus of the German offensive in the Eastern Front was on finally capturing Krakow. The difficulties the German army faced in capturing the city had long delayed possible offensives elsewhere and it had become a top priority. The German army finally made significant progress in 1907 as General von Hötzendorf at last made a successful crossing of the Vistula near Brzysko. Now with Krakow almost fully surrounded by German forces and cut off from Coalition supply lines, the Germans forced Krakow to surrender. However, the surrender did not come easily as the impatience of the German high command regarding Krakow led to further direct assaults on the now heavily fortified city. The final actions in the Siege of Krakow led to over forty thousand casualties on both sides and the German artillery left much of the outer areas of the city in ruins[1]. Krakow finally surrendered to the German army on October 28th, 1907 after a year and three months of resistance. Soon after the fall of Krakow, Jozef Korzeniowski set up a temporary Polish government in the city and organized the first Polish Legion, led by Józef Haller[2], which soon entered the front alongside the German army.
Meanwhile the front in Hungary remained largely static. While there were some minor gains for both the Germans and the New Coalition forces, almost all offensives in the Danubian Plain or around Lake Balaton in 1907 were indecisive and resulted in minimal gain for either side. The only important areas to change hands during 1907 were Várpalota and Lendava. West of Lake Balaton, the German army captured Lendava[3] in August 1907, bringing the Germans slightly closer to Varasd and entering Slavonia. Near Budapest, however, the New Coalition successfully captured Várpalota and Mór, pushing the Germans back from Budapest and Székesfehérvár. On the Polish front, the German army consolidated its territorial gains while expanding the northern Polish front and advancing as far as Kowal. The southern Polish front kept its advance toward Warsaw until it was repulsed by Russian forces near Ujazd[4] in late July. Despite the southern advance being stopped, the Germans still succeeded in taking Lodz and Strykow.
German Politics Brewing:
While the Great War was primarily a struggle between the dominant European powers, it was also a backdrop for several brewing internal political struggles. This was particularly the case in Germany. After the annexation of Austria in 1890, Frederick III was deciding on who to appoint as governor. When it became rumored that the Emperor was considering Joseph Leopold von Habsburg[5], then head of the house of Habsburg, for the governorship and restoring the archduchy, protests broke out in Vienna and Linz. With some of the protesting in Vienna becoming violent and the Habsburgs already being belittled in German political circles, the Emperor formally announced that Franz Anton von Thun-Hohenstein would be the governor of Austria. The appointment was enough to placate the Austrian people, but it contributed to a small but growing movement for a more federal system within the German Empire.
The Bundesland movement had its origins shortly after the unification of Germany, with small groups unhappy with the special autonomous status given only to Bavaria and Hanover. While the movement stayed fairly small during the first years of a unified German Empire, the Bundesland movement grew around the turn of the century among Czechs in Bohemia and labor leaders in Austria and in the Rhineland who wanted more autonomy for their regions. One of the most influential leaders of the Bundesland movement was Tomáš Mazaryk[6], a Czech who served in the Reichstag from Bohemia. Mazaryk questioned why Bavaria and Hanover should receive more autonomy than other German provinces and, as a member of the Young Czech Party, advocated more autonomy for Bohemia and the Czechs in the province in particular. The Bundesland movement had little overall success within the German Empire as a whole during the Great War, and Mazaryk's efforts were sidelined due to Bohemia's strategic importance. However, prior to 1900 the movement did have minor victories. In 1897, Emperor Frederick granted Austria the right to self-government, which meant it could elect its own governor with approval from the emperor. Two years later, Austria became the first region of Germany to grant universal suffrage.
Along with the Bundesland movement, another movement began to surface in the German Empire around the turn of the century. While the Mid-Century revolutions and the unification of Germany had granted more freedom to Jews in Germany, the impact of the Panic of 1876 in Germany and increased immigration of Russian Jews into Germany led to another wave in anti-Jewish discrimination. While restrictions on Jewish business ownership and freedoms were placed in many German provinces, the worst instances of anti-Jewish legislation took place in Bavaria under the influence of Karl Lueger. Lueger rose to the leadership of the Christian Democratic Party of Bavaria and used the influence of the party to promote harsh policies including prohibiting Jews from becoming judges and placing high taxes on Jewish couples. These anti-Jewish actions spurred emigration of Jews from Germany to France and the United States in the 1890s, as well as spurred discussion of the creation of a Jewish state. While many Russian Jews had moved to Palestine in the late 19th century, fewer German Jews had done so. In 1907 after Russia entered the Great War against Germany, prominent Zionist Max Bodenheimer proposed the establishment of a Jewish autonomous province that would be carved out of Congress Poland[7]. The idea, which also gained the support of some such as Lueger as a policy of Jewish resettlement, would come under consideration by the German Foreign Ministry in its war aims against Russia in the Great War.
[1] Much of the historic center of Krakow including the castle and cathedral in Wawel and the town hall survived and became icons of Krakow and Polish nationalism.
[2] One of the OTL commanders in the Polish Legion, but here with an elevated position.
[3] Lendava is in the very northeastern tip of Slovenia in OTL.
[4] The Ujazd near Tomaszow Mazowiecki. Poland has way too many villages named Ujazd.
[5] Fictional son of Archduke Maximilian, OTL Maximilian I of Mexico.
[6] Mazaryk was the OTL first president of Czechoslovakia.
[7] Bodenheimer also made a similar proposal in OTL, the League of East European States.
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Why would the Austrians so vehemently oppose the installation of the Habsburgs? I would've thought they'd welcome such a decision, as the Habsburgs were a prominent symbol of Austrian independence.
Also, it may interest you to know that the provinces of Prussia did, in fact, elect their local assemblies, which in turn elected the provincial government; only the Provinzialrat (provincial council), and its leader (the Oberpräsident), who supervised the work of the lower-ranking administration, were appointed by Berlin.
Also, it may interest you to know that the provinces of Prussia did, in fact, elect their local assemblies, which in turn elected the provincial government; only the Provinzialrat (provincial council), and its leader (the Oberpräsident), who supervised the work of the lower-ranking administration, were appointed by Berlin.
Not cool, man.
Good job, Wilcox, as per the usual.
Yeah, I'd think so too. In fact, TBH, I'm not sure the Austrians would be too happy with anyone other than the Habsburgs at this point.
Great update. Very glad this is moving along. And I think it is really cool you mixed the update between war developments and catching up on politics. Keep it up. I know war is sometimes hard and tedious to write, but your doing an awesome job and the result will certainly be interesting.
Well a Jewish state in Eastern Europe alongside Poland would certainly be interesting. Not sure any power will let its survive though. But it be a cool oddity, alongside Galicia (which after this update I don't expect it to survive after the war).
Well the Austrians did revolt against the Habsburgs and established a worker's republic that lasted for almost 30 years. And at the present moment they are a republic within the German Empire. If I read the update correctly the revolts happened right after annexation by Germany, as Germany was trying to revive the archduchy and appoint a Habsburg in power there. The revolts might have been a response to the whole thing; being annexed, being told who will be governing them rather than letting them elect someone, and on top trying to revive the monarchy they got rid off a generation prior.
It makes sense to me.
Well a Jewish state in Eastern Europe alongside Poland would certainly be interesting. Not sure any power will let its survive though. But it be a cool oddity, alongside Galicia (which after this update I don't expect it to survive after the war).
Well the Austrians did revolt against the Habsburgs and established a worker's republic that lasted for almost 30 years. And at the present moment they are a republic within the German Empire. If I read the update correctly the revolts happened right after annexation by Germany, as Germany was trying to revive the archduchy and appoint a Habsburg in power there. The revolts might have been a response to the whole thing; being annexed, being told who will be governing them rather than letting them elect someone, and on top trying to revive the monarchy they got rid off a generation prior.
It makes sense to me.
I added the footnotes and hopefully all the correct diacritics.
jycee actually summed up my reasoning pretty well. The nasty process of the collapse of the Austrian Empire compounded with Austria having been a socialist republic for 30 years and the restoration occurring right after Austria was annexed has made a revival of the Habsburgs not very popular in Austria anymore. Plus the protests were in Vienna and Linz, two of the most prosperous cities under the Workers' Republic.
I couldn't find very many resources on Prussian government at the time, but from what I understood the election of the provincial government and the Landeshauptmanns only started with the 1875 reforms. If I'm wrong, then the different unification process and the mid-Century Revolutions could have led to a full-scale reorganization of the provinces after Germany was unified. The Bundesland movement also wants election of the Oberpräsident, which is what I meant by governor.
Thanks. I think I'll try to mix war developments with some of the concurrent effects of the war on economics or politics for the rest of the Great War updates.
Thanks.Not caught up by any means, but I'm up to the formation of Mucus River, I mean Mocoguay
I don't think a world map has been posted since the turn of the century overview. Those were around page 90-ish I think?
This map by Koxinga has the alliances at the start of the war, and seems to be pretty accurate (I think the only mistake is the Chaco region being assigned to Mokuguay instead of Bolivia). If I am not mistaken the only changes since the turn of the century overview were the results of the Turkish War, already seen here.
Almost caught up, just reached 1900 and your 'history text book overview'.
The direction of anarchism is cool, especially Poliesm. Did that exist in OTL?
Getting Bismark outta there was different, and the direction Germany is going is cool. I get the sense it's going to have a much stabler and democratic society in the end; but with the Great War coming up, could definitely see it getting a wrench throwing in those developments. There's plenty of examples on here and in popular media of Germany coming out of ATL World Wars in a stronger position, but usually with the Kaiser still ruling an autocratic state. As for the fate Austria, figured the worker's revolution would fall, though getting gobbled up by Germany was not what I expected, at least yet. Oh, and what happened to Marx?
For the United States, well the Populist Party is hella sick. You handled the integration of it well. Gaslight Districts is a great touch, and I might have to steal that idea for my TL. The developments of African American culture is neat, with a growing Catholic and Cuban presence in the culture they're developing. Can't wait to see the musical developments unfold in the 20th century as a result of this. However, it's quite sad to see the US dirty their hands with African colonialism; but it is a unique and interesting development and makes me very curious at where it will go in the long run.
There seems to be a distinct lack of huge Indian Wars on the plains, with hints that the plains tribes aren't suffering as bad as in OTL during this period. Is it developing more how it went in Canada? As for the tribes in California, I like how the Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache are still free.
And speaking of California, love how it's still an independent nation. Hope it remains that way, especially in seeing how the Latino-Asian fusion will go.
The Mesoamerican Union is another cool plus of this TL, though sad to see it getting turned more and more into a banana republic.
And a singular 'British North American state' (aka Canada) not forming is another cool and different development not seen too often in TLs.
That's all for now. Imagine next time I comment, I'll be fully caught up once again. And again, it's great to see this TL still going and progressing into the next century.
The direction of anarchism is cool, especially Poliesm. Did that exist in OTL?
Getting Bismark outta there was different, and the direction Germany is going is cool. I get the sense it's going to have a much stabler and democratic society in the end; but with the Great War coming up, could definitely see it getting a wrench throwing in those developments. There's plenty of examples on here and in popular media of Germany coming out of ATL World Wars in a stronger position, but usually with the Kaiser still ruling an autocratic state. As for the fate Austria, figured the worker's revolution would fall, though getting gobbled up by Germany was not what I expected, at least yet. Oh, and what happened to Marx?
For the United States, well the Populist Party is hella sick. You handled the integration of it well. Gaslight Districts is a great touch, and I might have to steal that idea for my TL. The developments of African American culture is neat, with a growing Catholic and Cuban presence in the culture they're developing. Can't wait to see the musical developments unfold in the 20th century as a result of this. However, it's quite sad to see the US dirty their hands with African colonialism; but it is a unique and interesting development and makes me very curious at where it will go in the long run.
There seems to be a distinct lack of huge Indian Wars on the plains, with hints that the plains tribes aren't suffering as bad as in OTL during this period. Is it developing more how it went in Canada? As for the tribes in California, I like how the Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache are still free.
And speaking of California, love how it's still an independent nation. Hope it remains that way, especially in seeing how the Latino-Asian fusion will go.
The Mesoamerican Union is another cool plus of this TL, though sad to see it getting turned more and more into a banana republic.
And a singular 'British North American state' (aka Canada) not forming is another cool and different development not seen too often in TLs.
That's all for now. Imagine next time I comment, I'll be fully caught up once again. And again, it's great to see this TL still going and progressing into the next century.
I hope so,what world war would it be without US intervention,Maby well even see some fighting in North America if the US sides with the french
There probably be some, Wilcox has hinted at some conflict between the US and British-aligned California. Plus the whole divided Canada points towards, easy takings from the US (I expect it to annex New Caledonia and make friendly republics out of Deseret, Canada-proper, and Acadia).
However, once the US joins, the most interesting part will be the naval theater in the Caribbean/Atlantic, which I am guessing will be the major focus of the US efforts.
Well if the US is busy fighting on the home front then it seems like it won't make much diffrence to the war in Europe except in the peace talks because they have a another super power on there side. Also I wonder how the us will do attrition wise with fighting in the desert and tundra at the same time. Should be interesting!
Thanks.
Nope, that's completely original, though some elements of it were part of the cantonalism movement in Spain at the time.
Yeah, Germany's slowly becoming more democratic, but there are some pretty heavy bumps on the road. And don't forget, Wilhelm II is still the presumptive heir. As for Marx, I'm... not actually sure.
I kind of just assumed he died at some point during the Workers' Republic.Yes, the US is going to get involved in the Great War. Not sure yet about any beyond it though.
Since I haven't covered all the European fronts yet (still need to do the Alpine front), I won't be posting a front map for a bit. Please be patient.